The time course and chromosomal localization of recombination-related proteins at meiosis in the mouse are compatible with models that can resolve the early DNA-DNA interactions without reciprocal recombination

2002 ◽  
Vol 115 (8) ◽  
pp. 1611-1622 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter B. Moens ◽  
Nadine K. Kolas ◽  
Madalena Tarsounas ◽  
Edyta Marcon ◽  
Paula E. Cohen ◽  
...  

During mouse meiosis, the early prophase RAD51/DMC1 recombination protein sites, which are associated with the chromosome cores and which serve as markers for ongoing DNA-DNA interactions, are in ten-fold excess of the eventual reciprocal recombinant events. Most, if not all, of these early interactions are eliminated as prophase progresses. The manner in which these sites are eliminated is the focus of this investigation. We report that these sites acquire replication protein A, RPA and the Escherichia coliMUTS homologue, MSH4p, and somewhat later the Bloom helicase, BLM, while simultaneously losing the RAD51/DMC1 component. Eventually the RPA component is also lost and BLM sites remain. At that time, the MUTL homologue, MLH1p,which is essential for reciprocal recombination in the mouse, appears in numbers and locations that correspond to the distribution of reciprocal recombination events. However, the MLH1 foci do not appear to coincide with the remaining BLM sites. The MLH1p is specifically localized to electron-microscope-defined recombination nodules. We consider the possibility that the homology-search RAD51/DMC1 complexes are involved in homologous chromosome synapsis but that most of these early DNA-DNA interactions are later resolved by the anti-recombination RPA/MSH4/BLM-topoisomerase complex,thereby preventing the formation of superfluous reciprocal recombinant events.

2008 ◽  
Vol 190 (17) ◽  
pp. 5766-5780 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuyen Lin ◽  
Li-Jung Lin ◽  
Palita Sriratana ◽  
Kelli Coleman ◽  
Taekjip Ha ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT The bacterial single-stranded DNA-binding protein (SSB) and the archaeal/eukaryotic functional homolog, replication protein A (RPA), are essential for most aspects of DNA metabolism. Structural analyses of the architecture of SSB and RPA suggest that they are composed of different combinations of a module called the oligonucleotide/oligosaccharide-binding (OB) fold. Members of the domains Bacteria and Eukarya, in general, contain one type of SSB or RPA. In contrast, organisms in the archaeal domain have different RPAs made up of different organizations of OB folds. Interestingly, the euryarchaeon Methanosarcina acetivorans harbors multiple functional RPAs named MacRPA1 (for M. acetivorans RPA 1), MacRPA2, and MacRPA3. Comparison of MacRPA1 with related proteins in the publicly available databases suggested that intramolecular homologous recombination might play an important role in generating some of the diversity of OB folds in archaeal cells. On the basis of this information, from a four-OB-fold-containing RPA, we engineered chimeric modules to create three-OB-fold-containing RPAs to mimic a novel form of RPA found in Methanococcoides burtonii and Methanosaeta thermophila. We further created two RPAs that mimicked the RPAs in Methanocaldococcus jannaschii and Methanothermobacter thermautotrophicus through fusions of modules from MacRPA1 and M. thermautotrophicus RPA. Functional studies of these engineered proteins suggested that fusion and shuffling of OB folds can lead to well-folded polypeptides with most of the known properties of SSB and RPAs. On the basis of these results, different models that attempt to explain how intramolecular and intermolecular homologous recombination can generate novel forms of SSB or RPAs are proposed.


2012 ◽  
Vol 111 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael McGregor ◽  
Shabana Din ◽  
Natalie Gude ◽  
Mark A Sussman

Rationale Cardiac stem cells (CSC) regulate cardiomyogenesis and support regenerative processes in the heart, but aging adversely affects stem cell repair capacity. Aging is a primary cause of impaired cardiac function characterized by accumulation of senescent cells. CSC senescence is associated with permanent growth arrest that decreases survival signaling and cellular replacement, inevitably diminishing the capacity of the heart to maintain tissue homeostasis. Therefore, promoting CSC growth may improve cardiac performance with age. Pim-1 kinase exhibits protective and proliferative effects in the myocardium but the role of Pim-1 in cardiac aging has not been thoroughly studied. Objective Demonstrate that Pim-1 promotes stem cell growth in the aged myocardium correlating with increased expression of centromere protein A (CENP-A), a kinetochore-associated protein known to support cell proliferation in numerous species and cell types. Methods & Results CENP-A expression levels were evaluated from murine myocardial tissue samples ranging in age from 11 days post coitum to 4 months of age with analysis by immunoblot as well as quantitative PCR. CENP-A expression was colocalized with c-kit as a marker of CSC by immunohistochemical labeling, revealing a decline in CENP-A expression over the time course of postnatal myocardial maturation. The impact of Pim-1 upon CENP-A level was assessed by comparative analysis of non-transgenic mice versus genetically modified transgenic mouse lines expressing either Pim-1 (wild type) or a dominant negative functionally dead Pim-1 mutant. Pim-1 overexpression increases persistence of CENP-A in CSCs with age, as well as the prevalence of cycling CSCs as marked by phosph-H3 expression, while the functionally dead mutant accelerates CENP-A diminution and decreases CSC proliferation. Conclusion CENP-A decline in c-kit positive cells with age provides intriguing evidence of a potential mechanism for the diminished capacity of CSCs to maintain tissue homeostasis. Pim-1 mitigates CENP-A diminution, demonstrating the promising potential of Pim-1 to promote cardiac growth and repair with age.


2004 ◽  
Vol 17 (10) ◽  
pp. 1051-1062 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pat Moy ◽  
Dinah Qutob ◽  
B. Patrick Chapman ◽  
Ian Atkinson ◽  
Mark Gijzen

To investigate patterns of gene expression in soybean (Glycine max) and Phytophthora sojae during an infection time course, we constructed a 4,896-gene microarray of host and pathogen cDNA transcripts. Analysis of rRNA from soybean and P. sojae was used to estimate the ratio of host and pathogen RNA present in mixed samples. Large changes in this ratio occurred between 12 and 24 h after infection, reflecting the rapid growth and proliferation of the pathogen within host tissues. From the microarray analysis, soybean genes that were identified as strongly upregulated during infection included those encoding enzymes of phytoalexin biosynthesis and defense and pathogenesis-related proteins. Expression of these genes generally peaked at 24 h after infection. Selected lipoxygenases and peroxidases were among the most strongly downregulated soybean genes during the course of infection. The number of pathogen genes expressed during infection reached a maximum at 24 h. The results show that it is possible to use a single microarray to simultaneously probe gene expression in two interacting organisms. The patterns of gene expression we observed in soybean and P. sojae support the hypothesis that the pathogen transits from biotrophy to necrotrophy between 12 and 24 h after infection.


Hypertension ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 68 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nildris Cruz-Diaz ◽  
Yixin Su ◽  
James C Rose ◽  
Bryan A Wilson ◽  
Mark C Chappell

Although there is compelling evidence for an intracellular renin-angiotensin system (RAS) that includes localization of AT1, AT2 and AT7/Mas receptors (R) on the nucleus and mitochondria of various cell types, the mechanism for the intracellular expression of angiotensins remains equivocal as the precursor protein angiotensinogen (Aogen) enters the secretory pathway upon synthesis. Proximal tubules (PTs) of the kidney present a unique cell system since the PTs internalize Aogen and transgenic mice lacking either the PT protein transporter megalin or liver Aogen exhibit reduced renal content of both Aogen and Ang II. We reported that isolated sheep PTs readily internalize Aogen, and subcellular fractionation revealed that Aogen was evident in the nuclear and mitochondrial fractions. The present study sought to establish a permanent cell line derived from the sheep PT to facilitate the characterization of Aogen internalization and processing. Sheep PT cells were isolated by protease digestion and Percoll density gradient separation, maintained in culture to promote epithelial cell growth and immortalized by SV-40 transfection. A clone (SPT-1) was obtained that expressed the SGLT-2 protein, a selective PT marker. SPT-1 cells were incubated with recombinant 125 I-Aogen at 37°C in DMEM/F12 media. A time course [0.5 to 6 hrs] revealed linear uptake of Aogen [r = 0.995] that did not saturate by 6 hrs. Pre-treatment of the SPT-1 cells with renin/ACE/neprilysin/chymase inhibitors [INHIB] or AT1R/AT2R/AT7/MasR antagonists [ANTAG] failed to attenuate Aogen internalization [Control: 209 ± 22; INHIB: 200 ± 21; ANTAG: 217 ± 15 fmol/hr/mg, n=3] while Ang II or Ang-(1-7) [10 μM, each] also did not inhibit, but tended to increase Aogen uptake [238 ± 24 and 244 ± 15 fmol/hr/mg, respectively, n=3]. Subcellular fractionation studies revealed that 12.0 ± 0.2% [n=3] of the total internalized Aogen was localized to the mitochondrial fraction with a higher content in the nucleus following an 18 hr uptake. We conclude that the established SPT-1 cell line which retains the capacity to internalize Aogen and expresses a similar pattern of protein trafficking to isolated PTs, may constitute a relevant model to elucidate the pathway for intracellular expression of angiotensins.


1998 ◽  
Vol 111 (4) ◽  
pp. 413-423 ◽  
Author(s):  
A.W. Plug ◽  
A.H. Peters ◽  
K.S. Keegan ◽  
M.F. Hoekstra ◽  
P. de Boer ◽  
...  

Homologous chromosome synapsis and meiotic recombination are facilitated by several meiosis-specific structures: the synaptonemal complex (SC), and two types of meiotic nodules: (1) early meiotic nodules (MNs), also called zygotene nodules or early recombination nodules, and (2) late recombination nodules (RNs). The former are thought to be nucleoprotein complexes involved in the check for homology preceding, or accompanying synapsis, while the latter have been shown to be involved in reciprocal recombination. We have examined by immunocytochemistry the meiotic localization of a series of proteins at sites along the asynapsed axial elements prior to homologous synapsis and at sites along the SCs following synapsis. Several of the proteins examined have been implicated in repair/recombination and include RAD51, a mammalian homolog of the Escherichia coli RecA protein; Replication Protein-A (RPA), a single-strand DNA binding protein; and MLH1, a mismatch repair protein which is a homolog of the E. coli MutL protein. In addition two proteins were examined that have been implicated in meiotic checkpoints: ATM, the protein mutated in the human disease Ataxia Telangiectasia, and ATR, another member of the same family of PIK kinases. We present evidence that these proteins are all components of meiotic nodules and document changes in protein composition of these structures during zygonema and pachynema of meiotic prophase in mouse spermatocytes. These studies support the supposition that a subset of MNs are converted into RNs. However, our data also demonstrate changes in protein composition within the context of early MNs, suggesting a differentiation of these nodules during the process of synapsis. The same changes in protein composition occurred on both the normal X axis, which has no homologous pairing partner in spermatocytes, and on the axes of aberrant chromosomes that nonhomologously synapse during synaptic adjustment. These findings suggest that DNA sequences associated with MNs still must undergo an obligatory processing, even in the absence of interactions between homologous chromosomes.


2012 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. 1123-1139 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mathilde Ythier ◽  
Grégory Resch ◽  
Patrice Waridel ◽  
Alexandre Panchaud ◽  
Aurélie Gfeller ◽  
...  

Staphylococcus aureus infections involve numerous adhesins and toxins, which expression depends on complex regulatory networks. Adhesins include a family of surface proteins covalently attached to the peptidoglycan via a conserved LPXTG motif. Here we determined the protein and mRNA expression of LPXTG-proteins of S. aureus Newman in time-course experiments, and their relation to fibrinogen adherence in vitro. Experiments were performed with mutants in the global accessory-gene regulator (agr), surface protein A (Spa), and fibrinogen-binding protein A (ClfA), as well as during growth in iron-rich or iron-poor media. Surface proteins were recovered by trypsin-shaving of live bacteria. Released peptides were analyzed by liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass-spectrometry. To unambiguously identify peptides unique to LPXTG-proteins, the analytical conditions were refined using a reference library of S. aureus LPXTG-proteins heterogeneously expressed in surrogate Lactococcus lactis. Transcriptomes were determined by microarrays. Sixteen of the 18 LPXTG-proteins present in S. aureus Newman were detected by proteomics. Nine LPXTG-proteins showed a bell-shape agr-like expression that was abrogated in agr-negative mutants including Spa, fibronectin-binding protein A (FnBPA), ClfA, iron-binding IsdA, and IsdB, immunomodulator SasH, functionally uncharacterized SasD, biofilm-related SasG and methicillin resistance-related FmtB. However, only Spa and SasH modified their proteomic and mRNA profiles in parallel in the parent and its agr- mutant, whereas all other LPXTG-proteins modified their proteomic profiles independently of their mRNA. Moreover, ClfA became highly transcribed and active in fibrinogen-adherence tests during late growth (24 h), whereas it remained poorly detected by proteomics. On the other hand, iron-regulated IsdA-B-C increased their protein expression by >10-times in iron-poor conditions. Thus, proteomic, transcriptomic, and adherence-phenotype demonstrated differential profiles in S. aureus. Moreover, trypsin peptide signatures suggested differential protein domain exposures in various environments, which might be relevant for anti-adhesin vaccines. A comprehensive understanding of the S. aureus physiology should integrate all three approaches.


1992 ◽  
Vol 135 (3) ◽  
pp. 543-550 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. J. Taylor ◽  
C. L. Clark

ABSTRACT The effect of transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) on relaxin release by porcine large luteal cells (LLC) was examined by use of a reverse haemolytic plaque assay. In this assay, mixed luteal cells were co-cultured in monolayers with protein A-coupled sheep erythrocytes. In the presence of complement and porcine relaxin antiserum, a zone of haemolysis (a plaque) developed around relaxin-releasing LLCs. The rate of plaque development in time-course experiments and the average size of plaque areas were used to monitor the rate of relaxin release and cumulative amounts of hormone respectively. Monolayers were bathed in medium containing TGF-β alone, or in the co-presence of a stimulatory secretagogue (prostaglandin E2; PGE2). Exposure of luteal cell-containing monolayers to TGF-β (1 ng/1–100 μg/l) elicited a dose-related inhibition in the rate of basal relaxin release. Minimal and maximal concentrations were approximately 10 ng/l and 10 μg/l respectively. Treatment with 1 μg TGF-β/l reduced the cumulative amount of relaxin released to 63 ± 6% of control values (mean ± s.d., P < 0·05, n = 6; averaged over the whole course of the experimental incubation). Exposure of monolayers treated with TGF-β to the relaxin-stimulatory secretagogue PGE2 (0·1 μmol) resulted in a significant (P < 0·05) increase in the amount of relaxin released by TGF-β-suppressed LLCs, and restored rates of hormone release to control levels. This is evidence that TGF-β and PGE2 interact antagonistically in the modulation of relaxin. The effect of TGF-β was strictly time-dependent. A period of at least 16 h of treatment with TGF-β was required to induce an inhibitory effect on relaxin. These results implicate TGF-β as a novel inhibitor of relaxin release, and the presence of TGF-β in porcine luteal tissue suggests that such regulation may be achieved via paracrine or autocrine routes. It is possible that TGF-β interacts functionally during luteal life with other secretagogues to achieve integrated control of hormone release. Journal of Endocrinology (1992) 135, 543–550


Genome ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 49 (3) ◽  
pp. 205-208 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter B Moens

With immunofluorescence microscopy, the positions of centromeres and MLH1 (MutL homolog) foci representing the sites of presumptive chiasmata are shown for zebrafish (Danio rerio Hamilton 1822) synaptonemal complexes (SCs) in spermatocyte nuclei at meiotic prophase. Most SCs have a single focus and a few (7 of 140) have 2 chiasmata. MLH1 foci tend to be in the distal regions of SCs, with progressively fewer occurring towards the middle of the SCs. This non-random distribution suggests chiasma interference. Synaptic initiation, as well as replication protein A (RPA) foci at the chromosome ends, correlates with the distal localization of MLH1 foci. These observations may provide the physical basis for the reported limited genetic recombination in the centromeric region of androgenetic offspring of a male.Key words: zebrafish, recombination, chiasmata, interference, MLH1, RPA.


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